At the Library

Newt's Emerald

After the Newington Emerald is stolen at the height of a conjured storm, eighteen-year-old Lady Truthful Newington goes to London, disguised as a man, to search for the magical heirloom of her house, and is soon caught up in a dangerous adventure where she must risk her life, her reputation, and her heart.

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A fun regency romantic comedy set in a magical version of the period. A delightfully plucky heroine, mistaken identities, and a stolen magical gemstone make for lots of fun. Those who enjoy the descriptions of clothing associated with period dress will also enjoy...I'm looking at you, fans of Gail Carriger! Nix has been writing j/ya fantasy for over two decades...and this is a real departure. Excellent on audio!

Regency romance with magic ... what more can you ask for? Garth Nix does a good job of writing a story similar to something that Georgette Heyer would write, but with the added bonus of magic spells and ensorcelled jewels. I liked the main character, Truthful (or "Newt") who goes running around London dressed as a boy in order to find her lost emerald. She gets the help of a man, Harnett, who is also not what he seems. However, it is Truthful who saves his life over and over again. She's a very resourceful heroine. I am 25 and I enjoyed this book a lot, but I definitely recommend it for teens.

This is a totally charming Regency-set fantasy, featuring a spunky debutante who spends half the book masquerading as a man, a missing emerald, magic!, and a touch of romance. It's an extremely fun, fast read--great for fans of teen fantasy and Georgette Heyer alike.